This law provides for the licensure of dietitians, and nutritionists, and limits the practice of nutrition to only those who hold a valid license.
Under this law you cannot advertise or be perceived as “assessing nutritional needs of individuals and groups” etc. You also cannot do or say anything that would give the impression that you are licensed, registered, or call yourself a nutritionist or dietitian.
You may provide a general program for weight control without a license if it is reviewed by, consultation is available from, and no change to the program can be initiated without approval of a licensed or registered dietitian.
You can market or distribute food, food materials, or dietary supplements and further explain how to use or to prepare those products.
You can also practice nutrition with the supervision of a licensed dietitian or licensed nutrition. This includes:
- Anyone pursuing a degree in dietetics, provided that person holds a title indicating status as a student or trainee
- Anyone fulfilling the professional experience requirements needed to obtain licensure, provided that person holds a title indicating status as a student or trainee
- Anyone, such as a dietetic technician or other paraprofessional, who works in a program supervised by a licensed nutrition
Furthermore, if you are a dietician serving in the Armed Forces, the Public Health Service of the United States, or the Veteran Affairs, you can provide such practice if it is related to service or employment.
If you are employed by certain programs or businesses, you are not restricted from providing advice and information related to nutrition. This includes if you are a nutritional educator employed by a:
- Federal, state, county or municipal agency
- Another political subdivision
- Elementary or secondary school
- Accredited degree-granting educational institution
- Nonprofit agency
If you are licensed to practice medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, or chiropractic, you can advise patients on nutrition practices the advice is related to the practice of your profession.
Source: CHAPTER 36-10B